Rutgers Increasing Security, Body Cameras Amid Multiple Robberies

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — After a school year riddled with multiple crimes, the Rutgers University community is now facing another pair of incidents.

Two students were recently robbed and a campus building was burglarized on the very same night, CBS2’s Meg Baker reported.

A man is seen on surveillance video robbing a campus building in daylight. The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Monday when the suspect allegedly used some sort of a tool to open the door. After a few minutes he gets in and exits with cash, police said.

Police Chief Kenneth Cop said this was one of three incidents Monday night. At 10:30 p.m., a female student was assaulted.

“Approached by a suspect with a weapon with a knife and a demand for personal property was made,” he said.

She was then pushed to the ground.

The same night, police said a male student reported being robbed off-campus near Hamilton Street and Division Street.

“New Brunswick is still a city, going to be some crime in any city,” junior Caitlin Serpe said.

Serpe is moving into her off-campus house with the help of her mother.

“I do get crime alerts… I do look at them,” her mother, Margo Serpe, said. “We’ve talked about safety and about what she needs to do. I think she is very responsible.”

Caitlin Serpe said she makes sure to be aware of her surroundings.

Sophomore Kristina Asante said she avoids walking alone, especially during the summer months when there are less students around.

“It’s New Brunswick– I guess it kinda happens, that’s why I remind my roommate to lock doors. We know this isn’t the safest area to be living,” she said.

Rutgers police are adding more off-campus patrols, as well as body cameras.

“We feel adding body cameras will improve our relationship with the community. It’s a benefit to accountability both for police and public,” Cop said.